Program:

Day - 1 - Istanbul to Trabzon
From your hotel, we will transfer you to the Istanbul domestic airport for a 1.5 hour flight from Istanbul to Trabzon. Upon arrival, you will start your guided tour of Sumela Monastery, we will drive to Gumushane and Karaca Cave in the picturesque Pontic Mountains.
* Sumela Monastery sits high up on the cliffs of Mela, southeast of Trabzon. It was founded in the 4th century by two Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, who were guided to the site by an icon of a "black" image of the Virgin Mary, elegantly painted by St. Luke. After their deaths, Sumela became a place of pilgrimage. Decorated with frescoes, Sumela's treasures include priceless manuscripts and silver plates. Since the monastery was rebuilt several times, the ruins seen today date largely to the 19th century. During the Ottoman era, Sumela enjoyed the protection of the sultans, but it was ultimately abandoned and also badly-damaged during the War of Independence. In recent years, thankfully, extensive restoration has been carried out.
Overnight in Trabzon

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A little about Trabzon:
The earliest evidence of civilization in Trabzon dates from 7000 BC. Establishes as a Greek colony ( with Amasra and Sinop) the town benefited from its position on the busy trade route between black sea and the Mediterranean. It grew quickly and was focal point for the Pontic kings. At the beginning of the 13 th century, the Comnene dynasty established a Byzantine with its capital at Trabzon. During the Comnnene era, the city gained a reputation as a beautiful, sophisticated cultural center. The Genoese and the Venetians came here to trade as Trabzon was the terminus of a northern branch of the Silk Route.

Day 2 - Trabzon to Ayder - (B/D)
After breakfast, you will visit Hagia Sophia Church and Ataturk's Mansion; you'll then spend rest of the day exploring Trabzon at your leisure.
We'll depart Trabzon and start our drive to Ayder, stopping for a panoramic tour of Rize and its famous tea and kiwi plantations. We'll also drive through the spectacular Firtina Valley and visit both Camlihemsin and Goksu Falls. We'll soon arrive in Ayder and check into our historic and charming Ottoman-era wooden hotel. Overnight in Ayder

Day 3 - Ayder - (B/D)
After breakfast, you will have all of today at your leisure to relax, hike, explore, and just enjoy your day in Ayder! Overnight in Ayder

Day 4 - Ayder to Trabzon then to Istanbul - (B)
After breakfast, we will provide a transfer to Trabzon Airport and put you on a flight back to Istanbul. Arriving in Istanbul will mark the end of this program.

We look forward to seeing you on a future trip!

Prices are starting from 685 Euros per person in a double, contact us to get a price quote for your dates

Price includes:
* All hotels
* All land transfers in comfortable vehicles
* Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Trabzon
* Domestic flight tickets from Trabzon to Istanbul
* All of the meals mentioned in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner)
* Admission to Sumela Monastery
* All taxes and service charges

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CUSTOMIZE IT!

We can customize this program and take you onto any destination within Turkey, such as: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya or Cappadocia.


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